The Manchester City man is closing in on a permanent transfer to Burnley.

 

 

Trafford will bypass the Championship and take on the top flight under Kompany’s stewardship. After 18 months shining for

Bolton Wanderers, the young shot-stopper will be put to the test against the best in the business. Kompany’s recruitment, to

date, has been near-on faultless at Turf Moor and Trafford’s potential undoubtedly excites.

 

Burnley will prise Trafford away from the Etihad Stadium – where he is under contract for another four years. The player has

absolute confidence in himself and a fierce drive to reach the top: a mentality which will resonate greatly with Kompany. His

performances for Bolton earned him regular plaudits and goalkeeper coach at Wanderers, Matt Gilks, has spoken to The

Guardian about Trafford’s infectious energy and match-winning ability.

 

“There were days at training where he’d say: ‘Can you just shoot at me and I’ll save it?’ A bit like in the playground as a kid

when you want to dive around,” said Gilks. “He’d say: ‘Can you just take shots?’ I’d say: ‘Well, it doesn’t really work like that

Traff, we’ve got to warm up first.’

 

“He loves being a keeper. To have that confidence at such a young age is brilliant, because a lot of people shy away from it

and start thinking: ‘I hope I don’t do this wrong, I hope I don’t do that wrong. He’s completely the other way, but he’s also

very grounded.

“There were a lot of games where he made match-winning saves for us, and with the size and stature of him he could pull

saves out from nowhere. He was a massive part of us getting to the playoffs last year. I truly believe he can be a top England

goalkeeper, there’s no doubt about that.”

 

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Trafford has spent the past 18 months out on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers. In that time, Trafford played 74

times and picked up silverware after winning the Papa John’s Trophy with Bolton at Wembley earlier this year with a 4-0

thrashing of Plymouth Argyle.

 

Trafford signed a long-term contract with the Etihad Stadium outfit until the summer of 2027. The goalkeeper has

previously spoken of his desire to play in the top flight and potentially be England’s No.1.

 

However, he is now poised to make the switch to Turf Moor. And having spent the past year-and-a-half playing regularly, he

has made it clear that he wants to play week in, week out in the 2023/24 campaign, giving Burnley boss Vincent Kompany a

clear message he wants to be his first choice stopper.

 

Speaking to the Daily Mail last month, Trafford said: “My long-term goal is playing in the Champions League and for

England. If you want to be in the Champions League you’ve got to be in the top four teams in England. Whether it’s Man City

or any other of the big clubs, I believe I will be at that level. Given the opportunity I’d be able to perform.

 

“The most important thing for goalies is to be playing and if you’re not playing it is really tough. Next season I’ll play every

week. I can’t sit on the bench.”

 

Aro Muric and Bailey Peacock-Farrell are other senior goalkeeping options, with the latter entering the final year of his

contract. Northern Ireland international Peacock-Farrell was linked with a move away from Turf Moor last summer, while

the addition of Trafford raises questions over Muric with more direct competition for the number one jersey.